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New coach for Erakovic

NZ Newswire 22/08/2016

A need for change has prompted tennis player Marina Erakovic to split with her coach of two-and-a-half years, Spaniard Eduardo Nicolas.

Erakovic made the decision to part company with Nicolas after last month's WTA tournament in Bastad, Sweden.

The Kiwi is now working with Auckland-based Wesley Whitehouse as she prepares for the US Open qualifying tournament which starts on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT) at Flushing Meadows.

"I felt I needed a change," the world No.113 told Radio Sport. "I think Nico improved my game quite a bit, especially my backhand, but I felt a little stuck and needed a little more learning or something new.

"Nico and I still have a very good relationship, but tennis is like that and you have to do what's best for you."

There are 16 spots in the main women's draw up for grabs in qualifying in New York, although the US Open has not been a happy hunting ground for the 28-year-old New Zealander, who has reached the second round only once.

Her build-up has also been restricted to a week-long camp in Los Angeles after missing out a chance of some hard-court tennis Cincinnati.

"It would have been great to get more tournaments on hard courts before the US Open, but I am playing well, am feeling comfortable and we will see what happens. I have definitely acclimatised so will give it a good crack."